On inconsistent Pack defense, LB Jonathan McNeal proving to be model of consistency

He grew up the youngest of nine children. He shared toys, clothes and everything else you can imagine.

So, when Nevada’s fall camp opened in August and McNeal was just one face in a slew of inexperienced and unknown linebackers fighting for a starting spot, it was sort of like going back to his childhood.

Just like he did as a child, McNeal has emerged at Nevada thanks to his athleticism and intelligence.

“Being the smallest of nine, I liked it at times, but there were also times I didn’t like it because I was the youngest, so what I said didn’t really matter,” McNeal said. “They picked on me because I was the smallest. Now that I’m older, I’m bigger than everybody else.”

At Nevada, McNeal has become the Wolf Pack’s best, most versatile and most important linebacker. Brian Polian has called the junior a “coach’s dream.” The Wolf Pack’s first-year coach uses the terms “reliable” and “dependable” when describing McNeal, two terms coaches love to find in players.

“He really loves football and he prepares,” Polian said. “It really matters to him. He’s one of those guys who takes time out of his own schedule to do extra. Meetings aren’t enough. He comes in and does work on his own and asks great questions. He loves football. He’s a football junky.”

The Wolf Pack lost its top four linebackers last season, leaving a big void at the position entering this season. McNeal was tentatively penciled in as a starter in fall camp, but he was forced to miss some practices during two-a-days because of his school schedule and was slipping down the depth chart.

“His play was struggling a little bit during that time,” defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Scottie Hazelton said. “It even got to the point where I told him, ‘Listen, if we had to go off what we’ve seen so far you’re not a starter anymore.’ Then in the first scrimmage he killed it. He solidified his spot.”

McNeal has started all five games at weakside linebacker and also plays 10-15 snaps per game at middle linebacker when Jordan Dobrich needs a rest. He’s tied for the team lead with 30 tackles, including two tackles for loss. On a defense that has struggled, McNeal has been one of the few consistent players.

McNeal’s ability to play two positions at a high level makes him one of Nevada’s most important players. He’s been stout against the run game at middle linebacker, but also can cover as an outside backer.

“It’s incredibly valuable,” Polian said of McNeal’s ability to play middle and outside linebacker. “There’s no doubt about that. You’re never going to have four linebackers who can do both. The fact that he can do it makes him really, really valuable to us.”

Playing two positions isn’t really a big deal for McNeal. At Venice (Calif.) High, McNeal started at linebacker and tight end. He returned kicks and was the protector on punts. He played on kick coverage and blocked on extra points. He also played tailback, fullback, receiver and quarterback a times.

“I never came off the field,” said McNeal, a four-year letterwinner in football and basketball. “I played offense to defense and special teams. I just told my coach I never wanted to come off the field.”

McNeal, who also is one of Nevada’s best special teams players, likely won’t come off the field often when Nevada plays San Diego State in a key Mountain West matchup on Friday night. The Aztecs run a pro-style, run-first offense with a traditional fullback and two good running backs.

Nevada’s defense has struggled to contain the run this season. It has allowed at least 345 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns in three of its five games this season. SDSU will try and expose that weakness and smash the ball against Nevada’s front seven, but at least it’s not Air Force’s offense.

“I’m just real happy we don’t have to face that triple-option,” McNeal said.

McNeal also will have a little extra motivation against SDSU. The 21-year-old had three scholarship offers early in his senior year of high school, including one from the Aztecs. But after he tore his MCL after the fourth game of the season, each of those schools, including SDSU, dropped their offer.

McNeal was forced to go to junior college for a season before landing at Nevada in 2011.

“I’m kind of upset at all the schools that dropped me, but I understand it’s a business,” McNeal said. “You wouldn’t want to bring in anybody who’s hurt, so I guess I can’t really blame them.”

On Friday, McNeal gets a chance to show San Diego State what it decided to pass up on.